Gobles teacher, Jim Wiseley, is here pictured at the Michigan capital with Michigan state senator Tonya Schuitmaker on January 20, 2015, following the State of the State address by Governor Rick Snyder.

Gobles social studies teacher Jim Wiseley had a rare seat of honor at the capital in Lansing recently. Wiseley attended the governor’s annual State of the State address on January 20 as a guest of Michigan state senator Tonya Schuitmaker, an enthusiastic supporter of Gobles Public Schools.

The State of the State address is the annual report the governor provides to the legislature and other government agencies of the State of Michigan, plus the media and citizens of Michigan who are interested in the accomplishments and agenda of the governor and lawmakers. This year Governor Rick Snyder discussed such topics as employment in Michigan and our economic forecast, the condition of our roads, and initiatives for education across the state.

Wiseley was able to witness our Democracy in action, and he called it an evening of great ceremony and pride.

“The event includes what I would call a parade of the traditions of democracy in the State of Michigan,” Wiseley said. “It’s the same ceremony that has been used since the founding of our state, and it’s an occasion to watch and feel the pride we should all have in our system of government.” Wiseley indicated he was excited to share the traditions and pride he witnessed and experienced himself with his middle and high school students in Gobles.

Wiseley was invitied as the one guest allowed to Senator Schutimaker because over the years he has developed a strong connection to the senator.

“Senator Schuitmaker has an interest in our school district,” Wiseley said. “Over the years I’ve joined her at the Veteran’s Information Day in Van Buren County, and she has come out to Gobles on many occasions to work with government and history classes, and to talk about legislation. She really appreciates the Gobles school atmosphere where we get to know our kids in a small-school environment, but where she sees we expect a lot out of them.”

Wiseley said the event was something he enjoyed, and something that made a positive impression on him.

“The event is very different in person than what you see on television,” he said. “People are very friendly, and the evening is exciting, like attending a concert or the Super Bowl or something. I can’t tell you how many people thanked me for being a teacher, or who asked me my opinion about education in Michigan. Overall, I enjoyed getting a look at what the future holds in 2015 as the people we elected look for ways to improve the State of Michigan. It was a tremendous honor to be part of it.”

Congratulations goes out to Pierce Vreeland and his family for being selected as one of 32 student athletes across the state of Michigan to be chosen as the MHSAA Scholar Athlete award winner for 2014-15! Pierce will awarded $1,000.00 and a commemorative medallion at half time of the Boys Class C State Championship game on March 28 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. If you happen to see Pierce or his mom and dad, Rick and Paula, please congratulate them on this great achievement!

The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by writing about their own personal Dreams. Mr. Curtis, Mrs. Boes, Mrs. Ivester, Mrs. O'Rourke, Mrs. Quist and Mr. Seiler were very touched by the wide dreams of our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Many talked about how they dreamed bullying would not exist, that there would not be War, that no children would go hungry, that no human being would be homeless. The list of dreams for these students is endless. It is with great pride we now know that our students look beyond and look at the bigger pictures of life. Many of these students wish to turn these dreams into reality.